Type retaining means in stamp handles



Jan. 4, 1966 D. J. LYNCH 3,227,032

I TYPE RETAINING MEANS IN STAMP HANDLES Filed April 30. 1964 2Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. 2001b u? lyficf/ Jan. 4, 1966 D. J. LYNCH TYPERETAINING MEANS IN STAMP HANDLES Filed April 30. 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2fi M 6 2606 d fimm am a M M i 6 w 1 1L M M n H 012 6 A \M U. \K\ KQ k Sa a E an M 5 1 1 up 11 M. M

JNVENTOR. 116/ 146 David (I Lyflcfi ATTORNEY United States PatentOfilice 7 a ainst Patented Jan. 4, 195% TYPE RETAINING MEANS IN STAMPHANDLES This invention relates to stamp holders and more particularly ofthe kind that enables the clamping retention of a plurality of typeelements together for hand stamping.

An object of the present invention is the provision of a stamp holderthat is so simple in construction its component parts may bemanufactured inexpensively so it may be assembled and disassembledquickly and easily.

Another object of the invention is to provide a stamp holder that can beoperated without effort and without the requirement of any specialmechanical aptitude. in this connection, another object and feature ofthe inven tion resides in its simplicity of details that enables partsof one stamp holder of the present invention to be used tility.

Gther features and objects of the invention are found in the arrangementand construction of the details of the invention that enable it to beassembled to form a multiple line or single line hand stamp.

Other and further objects of this invention reside in the structures andarrangements hereinafter more fully described with reference to theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hand stamp constructed according tothe invention,

FIG. 2 is a cross-section of FIG. 1 taken along lines 2-2,

FIG. 3 is a partial cross-section of FIG. 2 taken along lines 3-4:,

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-section of FIG. 2 taken along lines 4-4,

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the hand grip,

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the pressure plate,

FIG. 7 is a composite perspective view of the main supports,

FIG. 8 stamp,

is a top view of a modification of the hand FIG. 9 is a frontelevational view of the stamp in FIG. 8,

FIG. 10 is a partial cross-section of PEG. 9 taken along lines 1lltl,

FIG. 11 is a partial cross-section of FIG. 9 taken along lines 1l1l, and

PEG. 12 is a perspective view of the modification.

Referring to the drawings and, in particular, to the stamp holder shownin FIGS. 1 to 7, the same is generally identified by the numeral 1%. Itcomprises a housing member generally identified by the numeral 12, apresser member generally identified by the numeral 14 and a handlegenerally identified by the numeral 16.

The stamp holder 1t shown in FIGS. 1 to 7 is intended to support aplurality of type elements in a single row for hand stamping. Forconvenience, the type elements 1% may be of the kind disclosed inapplicants United States Letters Patent No. 3,118,680, dated January 21,1964. These type elements are constructed of resilient material and aresubstantially T-shaped but inverted with the head of the T being adaptedto fit within a chamber 2% defined in the housing member 12 and the bodyof the type eletively spaced toes 24 and 24a. The toes 234 and 24a areperpendicularly directed relative to their respective legs 26 and 26a.

The details of the housing member 12 are more fully illustrated in FIG.7 wherein the same is formed by a pair of substantially mirror-handimage sides 28 and 28a. Each side 28 and 23a is formed substantiallyidentically and may, in fact, be molded or extruded as a single strip ofmaterial. When so made, desired lengths may be cut from a single stripof material to form the sides of the housing member 12. The sides 23 and2341 each are provided with laterally protruding bosses or bodies 3tthat are adapted to rest or abut against each other when they are placedin facing relationship. The bosses 30 on the side 28a may be providedwith holes 32 while corresponding bosses 30 on the side 28 may beprovided with aligning connecting pins 3 The pins 34 may be inset intoholes similar to the holes 32 or they may be formed as protrusions ontheir respective bosses 39. In either event, when the sides 2.8 and 28aare placed in facing relation ship, the bosses 3% on each of them matewith the other and the connecting pins 34 lock tightly in the holes 32.An adhesive or cement may be used to enhance this locking engagement.

The chamber 20 extends between the height of the bosses 3t and the toes24 and 24a with the track 22 defining one side of the chamber. Theopposite ends of the chamber 26 and the opposite ends of the track 22are open to provide an entrance and an exit to the track and also to thechamber for the type elements 18. This enables the type elements 18 tobe slid along the track to enter one end thereof and to exit from theother end.

Positioned Within the chamber 26 is the presser plate member 14 shown ingreater detail in FIG. 6. The presser plate member 14 has an elongatedbody 36 that is of substantially the same length as that of the chamberEll and the track 22. The presser plate 14 has a. type element engagingsurface 38 along one side thereof that is substantially the same lengthas the chamber 2d and track 22. This surface 38 is adapted to supportthe type elements it during their movement in the chamber 2d and thetrack 22 and, therefore, defines an ad ustable one side of the trackThus, it may be said that the surface 33 defines the extent of the depthof the chamber 26 in which the type elements it; move.

The presser piate member 14 moves toward and away from the track 22 andis guided during such movement by a plurality of feet 40 that extend ina direction away from the surface The feet 40 lit in the spaces betweenthe abutting bosses 3h on the sides 28 and 28a of the housing member 22and thus are prevented from endwise movement relative to the housingmember by the encompassing bosses. T he feet 4% extend downwardbeyondthe extent of the bosses fail to project into a handle receiving pathWay 42 therebelow. The pathway 42 is defined at one side by the abuttingbosses 3d and at its opposite side by laterally directed toes 44 and Madefined on the lower ends of the legs 2i: and 26a respectively. Thelaterally directed toes 44 and 44a are spaced laterally from each otherto provide a track or enga eing means to releasably engage with and holdthe handle 16 and housing member 12 together.

The handle id is elongated in height and curved along the sides of itsbody 46 conforming to the contour of the fingers of the hand to enablethe same to be grasped and held easily in the fingers of a hand duringuse of the hand stamp Ill. The handle to is more clearly shown in FIG. 5wherein the same is provided at its one side with an actuating camsurface. 43. The cam surface 48 is curved downward at its entering oropposite ends 56. The length of the surface 48 is interrupted bylaterally directed retaining notches or detent means 52 equal in numberand spacing to that of the feet 4 extending from the presser plate bodyas for engagement therewith. Defined along the faces of the handle body46 are oppositely directed indented track surfaces or engaging means 54and 54a. The engaging means 54 is adapted to engage with the toe 4 1 ofthe housing member 12 while the surfaces of the engaging means or track54a are adapted to engage with the corresponding details of the toes 44aof the ieg 26a.

In operation, the stamp holder is permitted to receive a single row of aplurality of type elements 18 in its chamber 2% and its track 22. Thisis permitted by first sliding the handle 16 outward from an end of thehousing member 12 and permitting its engaging means 54- and 54a tobecome disengaged from the similar engaging means 44 and 44a of thehousing member. When the handle is disengaged and removed from itsconnection with the housing member 12, the presser plate member 14 ispermitted free sliding movement within the chamber toward and away fromthe track 22, thus releasing the type elements 18 for movement.

Any desired number of type elements 18 may be introduced into or removedfrom the chamber 21) and its track 22, depending upon the lengththereof. After the desired type elements have been positioned in thechamber 20 and between the track 22, while resting on the pressersurface 38 of the presser plate 14, they may be clamped or locked in thetrack 22 from movement relative to the chamber 2%. This is accomplishedby aligning the track surfaces or engaging means 54 and 54a with thecorresponding engaging means 44 and 44:; respectively. The actuating camsurface 48 is then positioned to be slid or moved into the receivingpathway 42 of the housing member 12.

During the relative movement of the handle 16 and housing member 12, oneof the entering curved ends 50 of the surface 48 rides against andrelative to the feet of the presser plate 14 raising the same while thesurface 48 rides under the feet 49. This actually results from themovement of the surface 48 relative to the feet 40 that are permittedlengthwise movement or movement perpendicular with respect to thedirection of movement of the sur face 48. As the surface 48 is movedalong and under the feet 46, the retaining notches or detent means 52become aligned with the rounded ends of the feet that then engage in theretaining notches or detent means and thus restrainingly lock with thesame. This cooperation between the ends of the feet 4% and the detentmeans 52 provides a slight restraint against further movement of thehandle 16 relative to the housing member 12.

At this time, the surface 48 has raised the surface 38 of the pressermember 14 to squeeze and immovably clamp and hold the type elements inthe chamber 20 and within the track 22. The resiliency of the typeelements 18 similarly applies an urging force opposing the clampingaction of the presser plate member 14. This resilient force of the typeelements is transmitted through the toes 450 of the presser plate member14 to the engaged detent means 52 and thus aids in applying arestraining force at the detent means to resist the accidental slidingmovement of the handle 16 relative to the housing member 12, therebypreventing its accidental displacement.

It will be recognized from what has been described that the presentinvention has great versatility. Although the present embodiment of thestamp holder 10 illustrates the clamping and retention of a single lineof type elements 18, it is possible that a multiplication of thedisclosed details will enable the preparation of a stamp holder that iscapable of holding a plurality of lines of the same type elements 18.This modification of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 8 to 12wherein, to prevent the complete description of already describedelements, like details of structure will be referenced with numerals inthe 100 series. The tens digits of such identifying numerals Willcorrespond to like details of structure already described with respectto the stamp holder 11 Hence, a new description of such elements may beobviated.

Referring now to FIGS. 8 to 12 inclusive, the stamp holder thereshown isgenerally identified by the numeral 111). The stamp holder comprises aplurality of housing members generally identified by the numeral 112,the details of which are exactly the same as the housing member 12previously described. As many of the housing members 112 may be securedin side by side relationship to each other as there may be lines of typeto be provided on the stamp. In the present invention, three suchhousing members 112 are illustrated secured together to dem onstrate theversatility of the invention. Since the details of the housing members112 are exactly the same as the housing member 12 described in theprevious embodiment, a further description of the same is deemedunnecessary.

Each housing member 112 has a presser plate member 114 positioned in thechamber thereof for operation in the same manner as previouslydescribed. Hence, the present embodiment distinguishes from the priorstamp holder 10 in that the present handle 116 comprises a plurality ofactuating cam surfaces 148, 148:: and 141515. The actuating cam surface148 and its attendant handle body 146 is exactly the same as the likedetails of the stamp holder 10. However, the additional actuating bodies1416a and 14611 eliminate the need for the elongated handle and aresecured directly to the opposite sides of the handle body 146 which isused as a single handle for all of them. The surfaces 148, 148a and 148beach are adapted to engage feet 140, 1411a and 14% respectively in eachof the respective ones of the plurality of housing members 112.

In practice, the composite handle 116, including the central handle body146 and the two shorter handle bosses 146a and 14612, is initiallydisengaged from the plurality or composite of the plurality ofrelatively secured housing members 112. The type elements 18 are thenpositioned in their desired relationship within the chambers 120 of therespective housings 112 to extend up and out and beyond the confines ofthe tracks 122 thereof. The type elements are then clamped and held intheir desired relationship by sliding or moving the composite handle 116into engagement with the composite housing members 112 in the samemanner as described with respect to the stamp holder embodiment 10.

In this instance, the track surfaces or engaging means 154 and 154a arealigned with the corresponding engaging means 144 and 144a on thecentrally positioned housing member 112. The handle 146 and thecomposite housing member 112 are then moved relative to each other withthe curved portion 150, 150a and 1511b of the corresponding cam surfaces1148, 1 58a and 1481) riding beneath the feet 1%, a and 1401)respectively of the presser plate members 114, 114a and 11411. As thecomposite handle 116 and housing members 112 move relative to eachother, the feet of the presser plate members are raised by theirrespectively engaged cam surfaces 148, 148a and 14312. This squeezes andforces the resilient type elements 18 tightly into engagement with thedefining walls of the tracks 122 to clamp the same and immovably holdthem from movement relative to the tracks.

During continued relative movement of the handle and housing members,the feet of the presser plate members finally drop into and engage withthe defining walls of the detent means on each of their actuating camsurfaces. The resiliency of the type elements is thus transmitted to thepresser plate members through their respective feet 140, 140a and 14d!)and to the engaged walls of the detent means of the surfaces 148, 148aand 148k to apply a restraint against the movement of the handle 116relative to the composite housing member 112, thereby preventing theiraccidental displacement or disengagement from each other. However, aslight finger force applied to the compesite housing member 112 and thehandle 116 will overcome the force of engagement of the feet 140 intheir respective notches or detent means on the cam surfaces 148, 148aand 1423b respectively to enable the disengagement of the handle fromthe composite housing member and the release of the type elements fortheir removal or realignment or insertion of new ones.

While there have been shown and described and pointed out thefundamental novel features of the invention as applied to severalpreferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood that variousomissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of thedevices illustrated and in their operations may be made by those skilledin the art, without departing from the spirit of the invention. It isthe intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scopeof the claims appended hereto.

I claim:

1. A stamp holder for holding type elements comprising a type supportinghousing of elongated length including means spaced to define an openingin which type elements are adapted to be received, an elongated presserplate movable in said housing toward and away from said spaced means tohold the type elements therebetween, and a handle, said handle havingcam engaging means thereon directed toward said spaced means and beingmovable relative to said housing for engagement with said presser plate,said presser plate having depending engaging means thereon directed awayfrom said spaced means for cooperative engagement with said cam engagingmeans whereby movement of said handle moves the presser plate towardsaid spaced means and is disengageable from said presser plate to enablethe same to move away from said spaced means, and means on said handleengaging means cooperable with said engaging means on said presser plateto restrain said handle from movement relative to said presser plate.

2. A stamp holder for holding a plurality of type elements comprising ahousing having a chamber and a type receiving track defined along oneside thereof, a presser plate movable in said chamber toward and awayfrom said track, said presser plate extending substantially the fulllength of said track and including feet thereon directed away from saidtrack, and a handle separable from said housing and movable relative tosaid housing and engageable therewith to engage said feet to move saidpresser plate toward said track to hold a plurality of type elements insaid track and from movement relative to said stamp holder, said handlebeing movable out of engagement with said housing and said feet toenable said presser plate to move away from said track.

3. A stamp holder as in claim 2, said handle and housing having meansthereon engageable to retain said handle in engagement with said feet,and a cam surface on said handle engageable with said feet to move saidpresser plate progressively toward said track.

4. A stamp holder for holding a plurality of type elements comprising ahousing having a chamber defined along one of its sides by a pair ofrelatively spaced legs each of which has a toe directed laterally towardbut spaced from the other to define a track in which the type elementsmay be received, said chamber being open at its opposite ends to providean entrance and exit to said track, a presser plate movable in saidchamber toward and away from said track and of substantially the samelength as said track and having a surface thereon to engage and holdsaid type elements against said toes and immobile in said track, aplurality of feet on said presser plate extending in a direction awayfrom said surface, and

a handle movable into and out of engagement with said housing, saidhandle and housing each including releasably engageable means to guidesaid handle when the same moves into engagement with said housing toenable said handle to move relative to said feet to engage and move thesame in one direction to move said surface toward said track and todisengage the same to enable said presser plate to move away from saidtrack.

5. A stamp holder for holding a plurality of type elements comprising ahousing having a chamber defined along one of its sides by a pair ofrelatively spaced legs each of which has a toe directed laterally towardbut spaced from the other to define a track in which the type elementsmay be received, said chamber being open at its opposite ends to providean entrance and exit to said track, a presser plate movable in saidchamber toward and away from said track and of substantially the samelength as said track and having a surface thereon to engage and holdsaid type elements against said toes and immobile in said track, aplurality of feet on said presser plate extending in a direction awayfrom said surface, and a handle, said handle and housing each includingreleasably engageable means to engage said handle to move relative tosaid feet to engage and move the same in one direction to move saidsurface toward said track and to disengage the same to enable saidpresser plate to move away from said track, said handle having a camsurface engageable with said feet to move said presser plate in responseto the shape of said cam surface, and detent means defined on said camsurface engageable with said feet to apply a restraint on said camsurface and handle from movement relative to said feet.

6. A stamp holder for holding type elements comprismg a type supportinghousing of elongated length,

said housing including means spaced to define an opening therebetween inwhich type elements are adapted to be received,

an elongated presser plate movable in said housing between said spacedmeans toward and away from said opening to secure the type elements insaid opening between said presser plate and said spaced means,

. cam surface movable in said housing transverse to the movement of saidpresser plate and engageable with said presser plate during saidtransverse movement to move the presser plate to secure the typeelements in said housing opening between said presser plate and saidspaced means,

and said means having said carn surface being movable to disengage fromsaid presser plate to enable said presser plate to move away from saidopening,

and said means having said cam surface having further means formedthereon cooperable with said presser plate to restrain said cam meansfrom said transverse movement when the type elements are secured.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS WILLIAM B. PENN,Primary Examiner.

1. A STAMP HOLDER FOR HOLDING TYPE ELEMENTS COMPRISING A TYPE SUPPORTINGHOUSING OF ELONGATED LENGTH INCLUDING MEANS SPACED TO DEFINE AN OPENINGIN WHICH TYPE ELEMENTS ARE ADAPTED TO BE RECEIVED, AN ELONGATED PRESSERPLATE MOVABLE IN SAID HOUSING TOWARD AND AWAY FROM SAID SPACED MEANS TOHOLD THE TYPE ELEMENTS THEEREBETWEEN, AND A HANDLE SAID HANDLE HAVINGCAM ENGAGING MEAN THEREON DIRECTED TOWARD SAID SPACED MEANS AND BEINGMOVABLE RELATIVE TO SAID HOUSING FOR ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID PRESSER PLATE,SAID PRESSER PLATE HAVING DEPENDING ENGAGING MEANS THEREON DIRECTED AWAYFROM SAID SPACED MEANS FOR COOPERATIVE ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID CAM ENGAGINGMEANS WHEREBY MOVEMENT OF SAID HANDLE MOVES THE PRESSER PLATE TOWARFDSAID SPACED MEANS AND IS DISENGAGEABLE FROM SAID PRESSER PLATE TO ENABLETHE SAME TO MOVE AWAY FROM SAID SPACED MEANS, AND MEANS ON SIAD HANDLEENGAGING MEANS COOPERABLE WITH SAID ENGAGING MEANS ON SAID PRESSER PLATETO RESTRAIN SAID HANDLE FROM MOVEMENT RELATIVE TO SAID PRESSER PLATE.